Tampa Bay Rays

After a disappointing series loss in Toronto, the Rays are coming home to host the Yankees, and Roberto Hernandez will get the start in game one tomorrow. I think that getting lost in his 5.24 ERA and the overall disappointing start to the season for Rays' pitching is the fact that Hernandez has been good. Like, not just "keeping a spot warm for Chris Archer, Alex Torres, or Jake Odorizzi good." More like "keeping Archer, Torres, and Odorizzi in Durham good." SIERA, my ERA estimator of choice, believes that out of starters to have pitched at least 40 innings, Roberto Hernandez has been the 21st best in the Major Leagues this year. Hernandez is striking out 21.2% of the batters he faces and walking 6.6%, while having over 50% of the balls put in play against him be ground balls. Yes, his HR/FB is a freakishly high 25%, which means every batter has hit against him with the power of Adam Dunn or Michael Morse, but that's unlikely to continue. The same skills that enable a pitcher to strike out a fifth of the batters he faces also enable him to post a reasonable HR/FB rate over the long run. Now, I've already talked about one of the ways Jim Hickey and the Rays staff have improved Roberto Hernandez—by throwing more of his excellent changeups—but there was something else new in his approach that I had missed until now. Against left-handed batters, Hernandez has been throwing a front-door sinker. This means that he aims his two-seam fastball at the batter's hip, and then lets it's excellent horizontal movement carry the pitch back over the plate or nearly so. He's gotten plenty of called strikes and plenty of whiffs with the pitch. It looks really effective, and I just assumed it's something he's always thrown. I was wrong. Here, from the Baseball Prospectus and Brooks Baseball player cards, is the location distribution of Roberto Hernandez's sinkers to lefties over his entire career: And here it is in 2013: Yes, Hernandez is always going to pound the down and outside corner of the zone, because that's how one gets ground balls, but he used to be a one trick pony against lefties. Now he's coming inside with the pitch as well. Over his whole career, he's thrown a sinker on the inner third or off the plate inside only 19.5% of the time. In 2013, 38.3% of the time. The change in approach has been borne out in the results. Over his career, Hernandez has only struck out 11.4% of the left-handed batters he's faced. In 2013, 20.2%. As I so often find myself doing, I can only tip my cap to Jim Hickey and whoever else works with the Rays pitching staff. They once again have taken a talented but flawed and predictable pitcher and have gotten him to play to his strengths while at the same time becoming less predictable. A side note about perception. When I started writing this article, I was certain that the entire Rays staff was throwing front-door sinkers more often this year. That's not true at all. Alex Cobb and Jeremy Hellickson are actually throwing that pitch less often. All that had happened is I had become more aware of the pitch by watching Hernandez, and had started taking greater note of it whenever anyone threw one. Another reminder of why it's a good idea to check the data whenever you think you see a pattern.

TORONTO (AP) Jose Bautista homered twice and drove in the winning run with a 10th-inning single, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Tampa Bay Rays News

The GBT – The Good, The Bad and The Telling sandwich, where The Bad is nice and lean and the The Telling is ripe. Jays 4, RAYS 3 (boxscore) No GBT today. THE JUNKYARD DOGS WEBTOPIA… The Rays have a 38.2% chance of making the playoffs. [CoolStandings] The Rays have shuffled their rotation. [TampaBay.com] Evan Longoria said his legs felt bad early in the season, but that he is feeling better now. [TampaBay.com] The Rays are one of several teams showing interest in recently-released reliever Jordan Norberto, who is rehabbing an elbow injury. [MLBTR] The Toronto Star wonders if ex-Blue Jays players like Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar benefit from fans booing them. [Toronto Star] Will Leitch says everything we compliment Joe Maddon for, people were complimenting Tony LaRussa for the same things in the 80s. Sure, both managers think outside the box. But it seems to me that is where the similarities stop. [SportsOnEarth] ESPN is laying off hundred of employees. Why? This is why. [BI Sports] The Spyder’s Web takes on Yunel Escobar’s home run celebration. [YouTube] DOWN ON THE FARM… Norfolk 4, DURHAM 3. MONTGOMERY. no game scheduled. Clearwater 3, CHARLOTTE 2. Great Lakes @ BOWLING GREEN. double-header postponed © The Professor for Rays Index, 2013. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: The Hangover

According to the superstitious faithful that frequent the Rays on Twitter, prior to yesterday's game, I was not allowed to watch Rays games, as they tend to lose recently whenever I do so. The entire series in Baltimore? I couldn't watch a single game, due to scheduling conflicts. What happened? They swept the Orioles, at Camden Yards. I watched Monday, in Toronto. What happened? The Rays lost, 7-5, against the Blue Jays; despite a rally in the ninth. Then, yesterday occurred. An afternoon game, against the Blue Jays, in Toronto. Alas, due to work, I could not watch the game. What occurred? Well, the Rays lost, due to the 2013 bullpen, in the 10th. 4-3. AKA, I did not watch a single second of that game, and the Rays proceeded to lose. I will happily begin watching games again tomorrow, without a nod or twitch to my superstition. Cliff Notes version on this loss: Fernando Rodney entered the 9th with the Rays up 3-2 over the Blue Jays, and allowed Jose Bautista to shoot a homer into the left field bullpen. 3-3. Then, Joel Peralta relieved Rodney, and successfully getting outs, led to Cesar Ramos in the 10th. Ramos led to Kyle Farnsworth, who faced Bautista and allowed the Jays to win the series, with a 4-3 victory. Rays bullpen, 2013. Reliable? Eh. Keeping you guessing? Yes. Not-so-fun stat: The Rays have blown 28 leads this season, nine of them in the seventh inning or later. Four of those leads? Blown in the ninth inning. Fun stat: With last night's double in the ninth, Evan Longoria has extended his hitting streak to 16 games, a career best. For the full post game recap, check out Danny's here. *** The Rays shuffled their rotation in preparation for the Yankees this weekend, with Alex Cobb now pitching Sunday and Jake Odorizzi facing the Marlins; and according to the Marlins website, Jose Fernandez, on Monday. The off day today allows Cobb to pitch on regular rest, and Joe Maddon told Marc Topkin that he pulled Cobb on Tuesday against the Blue Jays at 107 pitches with thoughts that this may occur. Maddon did not want to insult Odorizzi in any way, saying: "Just based on experience,'' Maddon said. "Cobb has been pitching really well, and Jake is new. Why not give Cobber the tougher assignment pretty much. I don't want to say anything bad about Miami, but in general terms, division rivalry, Cobber's had more experience, the Yankees are on a pretty good roll, let's throw him there. ... "It's not a slight to anybody. It's just probably the right thing to do, I think anybody would given the same set of choices or circumstances.'' The matchups for the series against the Yankees are the following: Friday: Roberto Hernandez vs. David Phelps Saturday: Matt Moore vs. Vidal Nuno Sunday: Alex Cobb vs. CC Sabathia Links: - Rafael Soriano told reporters that his four-year-old son could have made a play better than Bryce Harper did in the Nationals loss to the Giants Tuesday night. Then, he took his comments back Wednesday. - A fan was ejected in a minor league game for arguing balls and strikes...and that was the least bananas thing that occurred. - Grantland compiled a list of "The 20 Types of Depressed Sports Fans." Considering the years of Devil Rays fandom under our belt, and how the Rays seem to continually mess with our emotions, I think we can all relate to all 20 at one time or another. Also, read the comments section, especially "The Mets Fan."

Game 4, May 22123456789RHEDurham Bulls (Rays)110010000392Norfolk Tides (Orioles)30001000x440Season: 27-19; Trip: 1-1Wrap, Box, Virginian-PilotBulls pitchers walked seven batters last night, 3 of them scored, and that was essentially the story of the game. To be fair to Alex Torres he’s been bouncing around quite a bit in the last week. So he had something of an excuse for his rough first inning. Nevertheless, he walked two batters in the first inning and they both scored. Will Inman had less of an excuse. The batter he walked in the 5th scored and he had walked two more before he was pulled in the 6th. Jeff Beliveau, also back from the Rays, came in to setting things down and kept the base runners from scoring.Overall, the Bulls split these last four games with the Tides 2-2. Every game was decided by one run, three of them by identical 3-2 scores. The Bulls hit reasonably well over the series, but had troubles getting base runners home. Outside the game — Chris Gimenez is with the Bulls. I missed exactly what Kinas said, but apparently a minor injury. I was wrong. What’s new there?Mike Montgomery scheduled to start today.Tampa Bay is starting a series against the RailRiders parent club, the Yankees, today.

Nothing really interesting happened yesterday. You can safely stop reading now, knowing you missed absolutely nothing. Triple-A Durham Bulls (27-19) Durham struggled to get the shutdown inning in their 4-3 loss to Norfolk. Vince Belnome gave them a 1-0 lead with an RBI double in the first inning, but Norfolk got to Alex Torres just as quickly. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Brandon Wood hit a bases clearing double to put the Tides on top. Torre was not sharp at all. Although he limited the damage to three runs, he lasted just four innings, allowing two hits and striking out four while walking three. Only 36 of his 70 pitches were strikes. The Bulls managed to fight back and tie the game in the fifth, but Will Inman struggled just as much as Torres. After walking a batter and then allowing a stolen base with two outs, Ryan Flaherty singled home what would prove to be the winning run. Belnome and Jason Bourgeois each reached base three times. Wil Myers did not play. Double-A Montgomery Biscuits (22-23) Montgomery was off. Class-A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs (19-26) Despite a solid effort from Roberto Gomez, Charlotte fell to Clearwater last night by a 3-2 score. Although he allowed all three Threshers runs and only struck out one, he lasted seven innings and didn't walk any batters. The top two hitters in the lineup, Kes Carter and Jake Hager, reached base five times, the Stone Crabs went just one for 12 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base. Both Stone Crabs runs scored on groundouts by Drew Vettleson. Josh Sale and Ryan Brett were both not in the lineup Wednesday. Class A Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-16) An inning and a half into game one of their doubleheader, the Hot Rods were suspended. CLICK HERE FOR ALL BOX SCORES Star of the day- The VSL team got back to scoring runs. Goat of the day- Everyone playing on US-based affiliates Today's games (probables courtesy of milb.com) Durham @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 6:35 PM (MiLB.TV)Jim Paduch* (1-3, 7.76) v. Brett Marshall (2-2, 4.60) Montgomery v. Jackson 8:05 PMMatt Buschmann (5-2, 2.96) v. Anthony Fernandez (1-0, 8.84) Charlotte v. Clearwater 6:30 PMRyan Carpenter* (3-3, 3.33) v. Nick Hernandez (3-1, 3.64) Bowling Green v. Great Lakes 8:05 PM DOUBLEHEADERDylan Floro* (3-0, 1.54) v. Ralston Cash* (2-3, 4.50)TBA v. TBA Game one will be resumed in the second inning, game two will be a seven inning game *Listed as TBA on milb.com Scouting the opposition Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Yankees)21-23 (3rd in IL North)Offense: 169 R (14th) .689 OPS (13th)Pitching: 3.84 ERA (7th) 1.36 WHIP (7th)Top 30 Prospects: RHP Brett Marshall (6), RHP Mark Montgomery (11), OF Melky Mesa (18), 2B Corban Joseph (27), OF Thomas Neal (28) Jackson Generals (Seattle)19-24 (4th in SL North)Offense: 189 R (5th) .693 OPS (5th)Pitching: 3.28 ERA (2nd) 1.23 WHIP (4th)Top 30 Prospects: RHP Taijuan Walker (2), SS Brad Miller (9), RHP Carson Smith (16), OF Leon Landry (17), 2B Jack Marder (20), C John Hicks (21), OF Francisco Martinez (22), OF Julio Morban (24), 3B Vinnie Catricala (26), RHP Chance Ruffin (27), LHP Anthony Fernandez (30) Clearwater Threshers (Philadelphia)23-22 (4th in FSL North)Offense: 233 R (2nd) .753 OPS (2nd)Pitching: 3.98 ERA (8th) 1.48 WHIP (12th)Top 30 Prospects: 3B Maikel Franco (5), RHP Kenny Giles (19), OF Kelly Dugan (22), OF Aaron Altherr (30) Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles)14-29 (8th in MWL East)Offense: 164 R (15th) .646 OPS (15th)Pitching: 4.52 ERA (15th) 1.45 WHIP (14th)Top 30 Prospects: SS Corey Seager (3), SS Jesmuel Valentin (14), RHP Scott Griggs (18), RHP Zach Bird (19), OF James Baldwin (22), RHP Angel Sanchez (25), OF Jeremy Rathjen (29)

ROGER MOONEY TORONTO The Rays will take advantage of Thursday’s off day and juggle the rotation for this weekend’s series with the Yankees. Alex Cobb will be moved up and start Sunday’s game. Rookie Jake Odorizzi, originally slated to pitch Sunday, will be pushed back to Monday and face…

TORONTO — Jose Bautista homered twice and drove in the winning run with a 10th-inning single, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.Bautista went 4 for 4 with a walk and four RBIs. Three other players had one hit, but that was it for Toronto's offense. Read more Jose Bautista news

TORONTO — Jose Bautista took the game into his own hands with four runs batted in on Wednesday as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in 10 innings. View full post on Yahoo! Sports – MLB – Tampa Bay Rays News

Today was also Jose Molina's return from a hamstring injury. He would play inspired baseball, but that's not the focus in this loss. Jeremy Hellickson was struggling with command - and specifically the curve - right out the gate. It was a slow start to the first inning made especially painful by a generous strikezone. Kelly Johnson was able to make a catch and gun down an advancing Bautista at second base, but there was damage in the first: one run scored. Hellickson got himself into trouble in the bottom of the third, fielding a 3-2 pop-up to Munenori Kawasaki that had him clipping Roberts, who was charging from third. Hellboy stepped on Roberts's back left foot and both players came away limping. Molina checked on Hellickson, and the game proceeded. No one left the dugout, and Hellboy seemed unphased. The offense had very little support for Hellickson. The Rays started scoring after some great hustle by Molina to get on base. Ryan Roberts brought him home on a slow roller to Macier Izturis that he failed to field on an attempted barehand. The ball went right under his fingers and Molina was able to "rumble" home, as Dave Willis said. Zobrist hit the next pitch into right and plated a runner for a 2-1 lead, but that was the last of the Rays offense for much of this game. Rodriguez led off the fourth with a double and then got himself picked off promptly on a throw from the catcher J.P. Arenciebia. He would be the last base runner for the Rays over the next 15 plate appearances. Jose Bautista leveled the score in the bottom of the fourth on a powerful shot to left field -- his tenth longball of the year, reading a change inside perfectly. He swung in front and muscled it sky high. To be fair, this was the last hit for the Jays until the ninth inning as well, but let's not distract from the coming frustration. The Ninth It was another weird night for the strikezone, loose but consistent for Buehrle and strangely stringent on Hellickson. For a taste of the nonsense, here's the zone from the full game: Once Buehrle was removed, the zone settled in and became far more reasonable, but that didn't detract from the missed opportunities before. Especially watching seasoned hitters like Longoria, Zobrist and Johnson who were hesitant to change their approach early in the game. Buehrle was landing calls outside the zone that were normally contested, and the Rays offense just seemed unsure. Either the strikezone back to normal or he was just ready to swing, because Longoria was comfortable reaching to pop a double off the end of the bat with one out in the ninth. The pitch was inches off the plate and Longoria pushed it up the right field line. The Rays were battling against ace reliever Casey Janssen, and James Loney put up a great performance, fouling until he found a pitch to hit and smacking a hopper up the middle to score the runner. Luke Scott got in on the action, taking a 3-2 pitch to the wall in centerfield, but it was caught by Rasmus. The Jays let Janssen pitch through the drama and Kelly Johnson eventually took strike three looking. Fernando Rodney, less than 22 hrs removed from a 5-out save yesterday, got the call to face the heart of Tornot'a order: Bautista, Encarnacion, and Lind. Bautista worked a full count, in spite of Fernando throwing easy, 99 MPH heat. Forced to come back inside to get the out, Bautista hit a moon shot into the left field bullpen. Rodney sat down E5 but walked Lind and was pulled for Peralta with the game tied , 3-3. Arencebia was lost against Peralta's fastball going down on multiple swings for the second out, and Brett Lawrie got jammed for a popup to Loney in foul territory to end the inning. Free Baseball Molina continued his on-base ways by hitting through the hole on the left side, but Escobar responded with a double play, and Jennings grounded out to short. Cesar Ramos took the mound and almost got Rasmus on a swinging bunt, but he made contact and the ball rolled out o